Hue motorcycle tour

We were slightly anxious about doing the 5 hour motorcycle tour, having observed the crazy and dangerous driving habits of the cars, trucks and bikes on the roads. We needn't have worried as our tour guide Tom (tam?) and his team took their time and made us feed quite safe. The city of Hue was preparing for it's biannual festival so we were treated to very decorative areas and even rehearsal of traditional music at the kings opera house. The tour was fabulous, we spent quite a bit of time inside the citadel (also known as the forbidden purple city) which has a perimeter of 11km and was built by the Nguyen dynasty to house and protect the kings, his wives and 112 children.
After the citadel we drove through little back streets out to country area to Tien Mu pagoda on the perfume river. We passed through villages and little areas of industry and farming. The boys were fascinated with tales of elephant and tiger fighting in the old coliseum. We purchased a few souvenirs from the villagers, we were also shown American bomb shelter on the banks of the perfume river.
The kings second summer palace and tomb were next, before a visit to a small Buddhist monastery where we were treated to a delicious vegan lunch. Our tour ended back at the hotel where we checked out and said goodbye to our drivers and Hue. In the afternoon we had a four hour journey to Hoi An via the Hai Van pass with spectacular scenery. Had a couple of stops along the way including China beach and a marble carving workshop.
Arrived at dusk at our resort very tired after a big day traveling and sightseeing.